Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce chamber talk Day in Austin, Tech4Tyler at SXSW, the Azalea Trail, the

Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce

www.tylertexas.com

chambertalk AnnualReport2014-

Fall is fast approaching with all the

excitement it brings. This fall brings a

new generation of the Hill family to first

Grade. Joshua and Madelyn, our six

year old grandchildren, start school in

their respective classes. Leaves are

changing and nights are cooler. Friday

night lights lead the way to old rivalries

and new teammates. Fall also signals

the start of a new Tyler Area Chamber

year with new leadership, goals and

objectives. As I take this time to reflect

on the closing of my year as Chairman

of your Chamber I look back with

great honor on this year and all of our

accomplishments. I also reflect with

gratitude on all of the hard work of so

many volunteers who have worked to

make this year a tremendous success.

Volunteers are the core of any great

chamber organization. Our chamber

is particularly blessed with legions of

energetic and high quality volunteers.

Over this past two years I have lost

count of the number of committee

meetings I have attended. No matter

CHARLES HILL Chairman 2014 - 2015

Message From the Chairman

Bob Westbrook assumes role of Chairman and Claude Henry elected Chairman-Elect for the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce

Continued on next page.

Bob Westbrook was elected 2015-2016 Chairman for the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce at its August Board meeting. His term will begin October 1, 2015. Claude Henry was elected Chairman-elect for the upcoming year. “We are excited that Claude has been elected as a member of our leadership team for the Chamber,” said Westbrook.

Bob was a successful, nineteen year veteran, CiCi’s Pizza Franchisee. He owned and operated three CiCi’s Pizza restaurants, two in Tyler and one in Longview. Bob credits his success to hard work, strong faith and family.

Bob currently serves as the Chairman-Elect for the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. He has also served one term as Area Development Council Chairman and two terms as Government Affairs Committee Chairman for the Tyler Chamber. Bob is a member of the Board of Directors for the Tyler Economic Development Corporation. He also serves on the Executive Committee of Catalyst 100, a mentor program to develop Leaders for Tyler for the next 100 years.

Bob is also a Rotarian. He is a “Paul Harris Fellow” and Past President of the Tyler Sunrise Rotary Club. Bob is a current member of the South Tyler Rotary Club. His “Service Above Self” culture drives his community service.

Bob has served as President of the East Texas Food Bank. He is a “two term” Chairman of the Northeast Texas Public Health District, where he received the “Doc Ballard Award” and the TEHA “Industry Meritorious Service Award” for outstanding achievements for Public Health in Smith County. He is a former Chairman of the Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation and a recent Past President of the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA). He has served multiple one year terms on each of the following: TRA PAC Chairman, TRA Executive Committee, President of the East Texas Chapter of TRA and Co-Chairman of the TISD Career and Technology Advisory Committee.

Claude E. Henry is an executive vice president and commercial relationship manager with Texas Bank and Trust, Tyler. He has been a Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce board member for the past 2 years, served on the Executive Committee for 3 years, and is currently the Business Development Council Chair. Previously, he served as chair of the Medical Committee. Additionally, Claude serves on the advisory board and finance committee of the Salvation Army of Tyler, is the current chair of the TJC Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament Advisory Committee, is the incoming vice chair of the board for Greater Texas Capital Corporation, and is a board member and past chair of Children’s Village. Claude was a participant in the 2011 Leadership Tyler Executive Orientation Series. He is a member of the South Tyler Rotary club and attends Marvin Methodist with his wife, Julie. They have four adult children. Claude enjoys bicycling, golf, and snow-skiing.

In addition to Westbrook and Henry Officers for 2015-2016 include: June Cheatham who will serve as Area Development Chairman; Mary Foster, Visit Tyler Chairman; Charles Hill, Past Chairman; Skip Ogle, Business Development Chairman; Roy Martinez, Treasurer; Tricia Walker, Membership Services Chairman; and Executive Committee-at-large members include: Howard Patterson, Martin Heines, Terrence Dixon, Joann Hampton, Nora Reyes and Lonny Uzzell.

Bob Westbrook Chairman

Claude Henry Chairman - Elect

what the subject, each committee has

been led by volunteers who were experts

on the subject and highly focused on

getting the best results for our business

community out of their committee.

No recap of this year would be

complete without a look at our

Membership Event. WOW! Over 400

volunteers worked countless hours

over three days to recruit 914 new

members. (Both new records.) I cannot

thank our Chairpersons, Captains,

volunteers and staff enough. This event

insures our financial strength for the

next three years and gives us a

volunteer base to accomplish the

goals and objectives set forth by our

board of directors.

It is also important to recognize the

many events that came to pass this

year because of your efforts. East Texas

Day in Austin, Tech4Tyler at SXSW, the

Azalea Trail, the Rose Festival, 2015

Kickoff Luncheon and the Perryman

Economic outlook summit are all

examples of the many programs that

take place because a chamber

committee decided our community

needed it. Thanks to all our committee

chairs and division chairs who guided

these efforts.

One of the best parts of this year for

me was the ability to work with our

Chamber staff. Tom Mullins and

Henry Bell lead the most professional

staff I have ever had the privilege to

work with. Their efforts maximize our

influence in Texas and we should all

be proud to work with all of our staff.

Thank you for the honor and privilege

of serving as your Chairman this year.

It has been an experience I will always

treasure. Now it is time for Bob Westbrook

to assume the role of Chairman. Bob will

bring a unique energy and drive to the

task at hand… I can’t wait!

Continued from previous page.

Board Members Elected to Three Year Terms

Charles Hill congratulates Chad Cargile for being named Volunteer of the 4th Quarter. He was recognized for his work as chair of the Education Committee which created the new C4 event: a workshop on career-workforce readiness.

VOLUNTEER OF THE 4TH QUARTER

Bob Westbrook and Charles Hill were recognized as Volunteers of the 3rd Quarter for their efforts during the record-breaking membership drive.

VOLUNTEERS OF THE 3RD QUARTER

Kitty has been a member of the Contact Club for 10 consecutive years and has earned 12 Production Awards. She is an owner of Nerium International. Kitty is a member of the Tyler Executive Women’s Network and St. Mary Magdalene Parish. Kitty and her husband, John, have 3 grown children.

A second year Contact Club member, Brad is the branch manager for Altra Federal Credit Union. He serves on the Whitehouse Parks & Recreation Board and coaches his daughter’s softball team. Brad and his wife Tami are parents of Braden and Aubrey and their family attends Rose Heights Church.

Brad Farr July

Kitty Springer August

contactor talk

Seven Chamber members have been elected to three year terms on the Chamber’s Board of Directors beginning October 1. Each year 14 members are nominated by a nominating committee, placed on a ballot, and voted on by the entire membership. The seven elected are: Derrith Bondurant; UT Health Northeast, Toby Breeland; Brookshire Grocery Company, Terrence Dixon; Brookshire Grocery Company, Neal Katz; Congregation Beth El, Holly McFarlin; East Texas Communities Foundation, Nathaniel Moran; Ramey & Flock, and Joey Seeber; Level 2 Review.

Carmen Carpenter, Texas Bank and Trust, and Stephen Taylor, Central Title Company, were appointed to unexpired terms.

As I reflect over this past Chamber year, the one phrase that is forefront in my mind is: Volunteer Strong. Your Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce is strong because of dedicated volunteers who devote time, talent, and effort to ensure your Chamber and your community’s success.

The Chamber works hard to promote growth in our area through attracting businesses, conventions, tourists, and sporting events. With the guidance of a dedicated Chamber

Staff, business professionals from throughout the community volunteer their time to work on various committees that help to conduct the business of your Chamber. From governmental affairs, to energy, to surface transportation, education, senior resources, medical, technology, veterans, tourism, and more, your Chamber provides an opportunity for forward thinking individuals to get involved to help your community continue to grow and continue to be a prime destination for business growth in our state.

Volunteers are the heart of your Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. And nothing reflects that be